Junior Summer Volunteer Program

Eligible participants of this program must be entering their junior or senior year of high school and are able to commit to the full 8 weeks of the program. Strong applicants for the program will be reliable, committed, and eager to learn about the hospital and healthcare setting. Must have a positive attitude and be open to learning from new experiences.

All inquiries about the Summer Program and correspondence with Volunteer Services in regard to application status should be made by the candidate themselves.

Program Overview

Participants in the 2024 JSVP will start at BMC on Monday, June 24th with a volunteer orientation. From there on, each participant will commit to at least one recurring 3-hour shift of volunteering on-campus for the duration of the summer.

In addition to volunteering, there will also be a weekly lecture series, delivered by various Boston Medical Center Health Systems professionals. Past lecturers have included surgeons, physicians, nurses, social workers, and healthcare administrators.

Both the volunteering and the lectures are designed to help participants learn the inner workings of a hospital and to further explore career options within the field of healthcare. The program concludes at the end of the 8 weeks on Friday, August 16th, with a final celebration of the program’s completion.

This year, JSVP is accepting 40 students. Preference is given to Boston residents.

Application Process

Thank you to everyone who applied. We will reach out to you in May regarding group interviews, which will take place the first two weeks of June. Interviews are typically 45 minutes in length and are designed to learn more about you and your interest in volunteering with Boston Medical Center.

If selected for the 2024 program, participants will be required to report their immunizations to BMC’s Occupational Health clinic. Participants must be considered “cleared” by our Occupational Health clinic by Monday, June 17th to participate in the summer program.

All program communications must take place with the applicant/participant themselves; our office will not communicate individual application or program progress with family members or educators.

Important 2024 Dates

• February 23: 2024 JSVP application goes live
• May 6: Application due
• June 17: Occupational Health clearance deadline
• June 24: 2024 Kick-off celebration and volunteer orientation 
• August 16: Celebration of completion for the 2024 Junior Summer Volunteers 

FAQ

Can I participate in the Junior Volunteer Summer Program if I am not entering my junior or senior year of high school?

JSVP is designed for high school volunteers entering their junior or senior year. Please go to our Volunteer Opportunities section to view placements open for those in college and beyond.

What kinds of volunteering opportunities will be available to program participants?

Some sample roles for our Junior Summer Volunteers include roles within the ambassador program, food pantry, or pediatric playspace, although this list is not extensive. Specific volunteer roles are determined based on applicant interest and availability. While we encourage you to note on your application an interest in a particular role, volunteer placement is based on the needs of the hospital. Please note that all Junior Summer Volunteer opportunities are only in outpatient areas.

I’m going to be away for part of the summer, can I still participate in the program?

We ask that applicants are available for one, three-hour shift a week and the weekly lecture for the total eight weeks of the program. If a vacation or trip is planned within the program’s duration, you must note on your application the dates and times you will be away.

What kind of time commitment is the Junior Summer Volunteer Program?

Each program participant will be required to complete a recurring, three-hour volunteer shift each week during the eight weeks of the program. In addition, participants are required to attend a weekly one hour lecture with a current healthcare professional at Boston Medical Center. 

Is there a remote option?

The 2024 JSVP requires in-person participation and is unable to accommodate remote volunteering.

At the end of the program, will I receive documentation of my hours?

All students will receive credit for the hours they participate in the program as well as a certificate upon completion of the program. Documentation of hours served may be reported on a resume for future internships, employment, or college applications.

I have a question that was not answered here, who should I reach out to?

Any additional questions students have about the program can be emailed to volunteer.services@bmc.org. All questions should come from the interested applicants themselves.